Page 124 of Holiday Hopefuls
“What do you think?” Connie asks, taking a sip of champagne. My sister shimmies her way into the chair beside me. She looks absolutely stunning in a fitted black dress that accentuates full curves with raven pumps to match. The long sleeves and plunging neckline have definitely kept her date’s attention all evening.
And Aaron’s.
My sister swishes her fiery hair that kisses her collarbones in soft waves, drawing the eye to a simple gold choker and matching earrings.
I frown. “About what?”
The woman lifts a brow, her answer obvious. She makes an exasperated gesture to the rest of the largest ballroom known to man. The same room we’ve spent every New Year’s in our entire lives.
“It’s beautiful,” I answer, “but Mom always kills it with the decor. Why should this year be any different?”
Connie rolls her eyes. “Because it’s absolutely gorgeous. Besides, I figured you’d like all the plants and flowers and everything.”
Snorting, it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “I do. If I’d been asked to help plan this shindig, it’s basically what I would’ve picked. But what does that matter?”
“What does what matter?” Imogene makes her way to our group, placing delicate hands on the backs of our chairs.
“Calloway’s being difficult.”
Rolling in my lips, I puff out my cheeks in response to that insane accusation.
“Surely not.” Imogene grins down at me. Long hair forming perfect retro waves, her sleek copper silk gown glistens under the lights.
I can’t help but smile up at my oldest sister. “You look beautiful,” I tell her.
Under the atmospheric lighting, Imogene is positively radiant. “Thank you, Calloway. So do you.”
My smile breaks out into a full-blown grin. “Well, I had help.”
Chris ambles up to our table, plopping into the seat next to his sister, threatening to wrinkle his black designer suit. “Are we having our own separate party over here?”
“How’d you know?” Connie smirks at him.
Her twin shrugs, clearly bored. Slouching back into the chair, he looks around the immediate area.
Connie spins back to me. “Wanna go dance?”
Shaking my head, I try to ignore how much I’d rather be at home with Oliver and Nacho than stuck here without him.
Connie sets down her champagne glass. “You do know it’s okay to have fun without Oliver here, right?”
“Of course,” I chuckle. “It’s important for couples to still cultivate individual interests. But that doesn’t mean I can’t miss him when we’re apart.”
Heavy hands fall on my shoulders and I know who it is before I even turn around.
Connie sighs in relief. “Ian, thank goodness. Get this girl up and make her go dance.” My sister waves at me in false annoyance.
Potentially false.
“Why?” I challenge her.
Chris sits up in his chair. “You know what, Connie’s right. It might be a fun story for the future if we were all out on the dance floor at midnight on the year our family started a new chapter.”
“You hate dancing.” Narrowing my eyes, I peer across the table at my brother. “Are you actually Chris Rutherford? Or are you an alien who just looks like him?”
He smiles, which just further confirms my alien theory. Connie must pinch him under the table, because he jumps a couple inches off his chair. “Ouch! What was that for?”
Connie gives him a hard stare in lieu of a response.
